TPO-Free Gel Polish: What the EU Ban Means and How to Check Your Products
TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) is a photoinitiator that was widely used to cure gel nail polish. Following its classification as a CMR substance, the European Union banned TPO in cosmetic products effective September 1, 2025. To know if a gel polish contains it, read the ingredient list for 'TPO' or 'Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide'. GELCARE reformulated ahead of the rule: our shades are TPO-free, and the full TPO-free collection is labelled so you can check at a glance.
What is TPO and what does it do in gel polish?
Photoinitiators are the molecules that make gel gel: they absorb the light from your curing lamp and trigger the reaction that transforms liquid resin into a hard, glossy film. TPO was popular in the industry because it is efficient — it cures quickly and deeply, particularly in highly pigmented shades. Efficiency is not safety, though, and alternatives exist that do the same job.
Why did the EU ban TPO?
Under the EU's chemical classification system, TPO was classified as a CMR substance (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction — in TPO's case, based on reproductive toxicity findings in animal studies). CMR-classified substances are automatically prohibited in cosmetics in the EU, and TPO's prohibition took effect on September 1, 2025. From that date, gel polishes containing TPO can no longer be sold or used professionally in the EU.
Does the ban apply in Canada and the US?
Not at this time — the ban is European. In practice, though, the industry moves with its strictest major regulator: brands that sell internationally reformulate globally rather than maintain two formulas. Our position is simple: if an ingredient does not meet the EU bar, we do not want it in any bottle, on any market. GELCARE ships TPO-free shades to Canada, the US, the UK, Australia and Europe alike.
How do I check if my gel polish contains TPO?
- Find the ingredient list — on the bottle, the box, or the brand's product page
- Search for 'TPO' or 'Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide' (sometimes written 'Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide')
- If the brand publishes no ingredient list at all, treat that as an answer in itself
- When in doubt, ask the brand directly — a serious formulator will answer quickly and specifically
What replaces TPO — and does it cure as well?
Reformulating away from TPO means rebalancing the photoinitiator system with compliant alternatives, then re-testing every shade: cure depth, colour stability, wear time. That work is invisible when done well — a properly reformulated gel cures and wears like the original. It is genuinely demanding for deep, opaque pigments, which is why reformulation took the industry time, and why we started before the deadline rather than after it.
What this means for your manicures
- Nothing changes in your routine: TPO-free gel applies, cures and removes exactly the same way
- Check ingredient lists when trying new brands, especially deep or neon pigments where TPO was most used
- Salon clients in the EU are covered by the ban; elsewhere, it is fair to ask your salon what they use
- Every GELCARE shade sold today is TPO-free, 10-free, vegan and cruelty-free — browse the collection
Frequently asked questions
Should I throw away gel polish that contains TPO?
The concern with TPO relates to exposure to the uncured product, so at minimum handle it carefully and avoid skin contact. In the EU, using it up is no longer permitted in professional settings. Our view: once you know an ingredient failed the EU's safety bar, replacing that bottle is a small price.
Is TPO the same as HEMA?
No — HEMA is a monomer associated with skin sensitization in gels, a separate topic from TPO's CMR classification. Both are reasons to prefer transparent brands with strict ingredient policies like our 10-free standard.
Are GELCARE's older shades TPO-free too?
Our range sold today is TPO-free. If you own older bottles and want certainty, contact us with the shade name and batch and we will confirm its formula.